Free Program Downloads: 

(These links take you to Windows-based downloads. For other operating systems, follow the links and look for your appropriate OS)

Adobe Reader (for reading PDF files)

Open Office - free open source Office suite including programs similar to Microsoft Office (Writer = Word, Calc = Excel, Impress = PowerPoint, Base = Access, Math = creating formulas, Draw = drawing program).   FYI*** When you save files in Open Office, you must go to File>Save As and choose the file type for Microsoft if you want (most) other people to open the documents.  Open Office will open any Microsoft document, but Microsoft will not open a file saved in the Open Office format.  You must save it in a Microsoft format (or any other file type of your choosing)  You may get a warning message about losing formatting, but save it in the new format anyway.

Tux Paint - open source kid-friendly drawing program - Tux Paint Stamps (extra stamps for Tux Paint). Download both for complete program.

Tux Math - open source math games

Tux Typing - open source typing games and lessons

Picasa - simple-to-use photo-editing program

Useful and/or Fun Educational Websites:

Netsmartzkids.org - Online safety games for kids (sponsored by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

Mouse Tutorial - Using the mouse / webpage elements tutorial

Internet Public Library for Kids - kid-friendly homework & educational resource

Woodlands Math - interactive math games and practice (FYI - this site is based in the UK, so some spelling and conventions may be different than in the US)

Thinkfinity - interactive games, homework help, maps, literacy, educational resources, etc. (searchable by subject)